Sometimes what the world has to offer can seem so enticing. We are in a very “me-centric” society which allows us to believe that whatever makes us feel good is ok. If it makes our life easy or it’s enjoyable, it’s alright to do or be a part of. Perhaps we feel that some of these things that the Bible calls a sin are ideas or events that don’t really seem to hurt you, so what’s the harm? I’ve often fallen for this trap. And hear me when I say that…it IS a trap.
More than three thousand years ago, another person fell into that trap. The Bible says that Esau, Isaac’s son, came in from the field exhausted. He saw that his twin brother, Jacob, had made some lentil stew and begged him for food. Jacob told him that he could only have it if Esau sold him his birthright (as Esau was the eldest of the two). Esau told him, “What good is my birthright if I’m dead!” and swore an oath to Jacob, giving away his birthright. He ate the stew and left.
If we’ve read the rest of the story in the Bible, we know that because Jacob was given the birthright, he went on to be blessed by God and his children became the 12 tribes of Israel. All because his brother was hungry.
How many times do we, today, give up our spiritual blessings that our Heavenly Father has given us for physical desires of what is right in front of us? We trust in the path God has allowed, following what He says. But worldly influence or selfish desires get in the way and we sidestep. The spiritual blessing is missed and we don’t encounter Jesus quite the way we would’ve had we not worried about the momentary gratification that the flesh gave.
We can look forward in the Bible to some New Testament truth about what we should do to help us not make the same mistake Esau did.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
It tells us that God’s way is the perfect way and we shouldn’t be bending to what seems like fun or ‘normal’ in the face of what God tells us is sin. We need to be transformed or changed by what God’s Word says and His direction, not the other way around!
Dear friends, I challenge you this week to be transformed by God and look for the spiritual blessings rather than the physical desires of our heart!
~Erin
Iron Porch 